The main concern with any startup or small business is financing it. There isn’t one approach that everyone can use to get their business up and running rather there are several different routes, businesses can take to finance their project depending on the type and size of the project and the amount needed. Small businesses and startups have even been known to piece their funding together through different sources phased out over time which is a viable option for some. So here are four practical ways to fund your small business.

Personal Savings:

Nobody just gets up one day and decides to start up a new business. There are several hours of ideas and planning behind it so there’s more than likely chance that you will have some savings collected somewhere as you’ll already have an estimate on how much finance is required for your business to break-even at least. Using those savings to fund your business can be the key to your startup becoming profitable as soon as possible since you won’t have to worry about monthly repayments like you would have if you would’ve borrowed from a bank or repaying the loan with a hefty interest rate.

Although realistically, the chances are that you won’t have the entire amount needed to start your business saved up so in that case selling the items you do not need is an excellent option. If you were to look around, you are likely to find items that you barely use, if ever, that could be worth a few hundred dollars and if you were to sell those items and raise the money that way, you’d make sure that you’re keeping 100% equity of your company because you won’t have to sell shares to raise the finance.

The Bank:

If the first option isn’t for you, then securing a loan from the bank is still one of the most practical ways to fund your new business. Getting a loan from the bank isn’t an easy job and you will have to have prerequisites if the bank is to lend you the money. These prerequisites include a healthy personal credit score and a detailed business plan that some business might not have, but once you’re able to secure the loan, it can be essential for business for getting you the maximum yields. That is because if the loan is secured, not only the bank won’t have any issue on how it’s run and you’ll have 100 percent of the business equity to yourself, but you’re also guaranteed the money for the whole term.

Crowdfunding:

Crowdfunding means putting your idea forward on the internet and asking like-minded people to donate you the money, and it is a way that won’t cost you anything. With now successful startups like Ouya and Bitvore getting funded because of crowdfunding, there’s a good chance that you’re business idea will also be funded provided it is a practical and a credible one that people can get behind.

Venture Capitals:

There are firms that will fund your business completely in its early days, and you won’t have to worry about finances so you can completely focus on running your business. However, these firms are expected to have a huge part of your business equity in return when it’s profitable. This option might not be for everyone since you risk losing control of your company, but sometimes it is the most practical way to fund a business.

Author Bio: 

David Simmons is a financial analyst and accounting expert. He has in-depth knowledge about setting up small businesses as well as creating profitable investments. He regularly contributes articles related to business and loans at https://www.ebroker.com.au/.

2017 was indeed quite a bumper year for cryptocurrencies. You had astronomical returns for a number of different cryptocurrencies.

It was the year that the main stream community finally decided to take Bitcoin seriously. Bitcoin even got its own futures contracts on two different exchanges.

The result was mass adoption from a range of different sectors. Many retail investors decided to invest in Bitcoin and a great deal of other cryptocurrencies with growth prospects.

However, this year has started off being incredibly volatile already. You had Bitcoin that rallied past $20,000 only to come crashing down to back to $10,000. The same movements were seen in Ripple all the way up to $3.5. However, are these short term moves and will the upward trend still continue? Are we likely to see great returns over the next few months?

We will take a quick look at the growth prospects of crypto in 2018 and how you are best positioned to trade them.

Get Yourself Ready

Before you can actually start trading cryptocurrencies you need to make sure that you are set up with an account at a broker or an exchange.

These will enable you to use your Fiat money (Dollars, Euros etc) and buy the cryptocurrencies. Currently, there is a large backlog at the largest cryptocurrency exchanges. Hence, you have to consider other brokers.

One of the most reputable brokers that you can use for cryptocurrencies is IQ option. They have numerous different cryptocurreny pairs as well as substantial leverage.

You can read more about them in this helpful IQ Option Crypto Review.

Get the Right News

Cryptocurrencies are a very news driven asset class. The investors will generally only buy the rumour and sell on the news. Hence, you need to make sure you have the right tools in order to get a sense of the rumours in the market.

One of the best tools in order to see what is trending in the markets is Twitter. This is used by any number of traders and they will generally express their views through this medium.

You could also consider getting something such as tweetdeck that collates all of the tweets with all of our followers. Here, you can monitor exactly what is being said in the marketplace.

When there are rumours that are floating around in the market about a particular coin that people are considering, you should immediately take notice. Invest in the coin if the price has not moved that much.

However, you also have to be careful when it comes to pump-and-dump groups. These exist all over the crypto markets and they generally try to burn newer investors.

Use Risk Derivative Instruments

Now that there are a range of derivative instruments that you can trade with, the strategies that you can employ are also quite vast. Firstly, you can use the futures contracts that are now listed.

These allow you to trade Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies with leverage. This means that your returns can be much larger than the amount that you have initially staked. Of course, you can also lose a lot.

Derivative contracts like futures also enable you to short these contracts. That means that you can make money even if Bitcoin is falling in price. This would have been helpful in the recent fall that we have seen in Bitcoin.

You could also consider using option type instruments. These have payoffs that are assymetric which means that your upside and downside return differ.

There are a number of cryptocurrency option brokers that you can consider investing with. The most important is that you choose a broker that is regulated and that has the adequate capital to back up your positions.

Follow Influential People

It goes without saying that you can learn a lot from many people in the industry. These people often give you the information on important developments in the industry.

There are also a lot of traders in the crypto community who give out trading tips and advice. If you are able to follow these and are able to enter the positions that they recommend, then there is scope for you to make large returns.

You can consider following traders on Twitter such as WhalePanda and John McAfee. The former is a thoughtful analyst who takes the time and analysis on particular trades. The latter is usually known to be a pumper with coins that make great returns the moment he mentions them.

Always Manage Your Risk

The most important rule that you need to stick by in order to make sure that you have appropriate risk limits. Always invest with stop losses and never invest more than you can afford to lose.

There is indeed a great deal of opportunity for profit with crypto but there are also many risks with it. As a volatile asset it can wipe out your position very quickly.

If you are using futures in order to trade your positions, try to start with lower leverage. Invest based on that and move your risk tolerance up when you have better direction.

Good Luck for your crypto trading in 2018!

Eric Roberge is a financial planner at Beyond Your Hammock. He gives a valuable budgeting advice:

“The key is to take action and use a system to help you stay consistent in managing your money every month, and making sure you’re covering your expenses, being responsible by saving for tomorrow, and giving yourself some room to enjoy life today.”

Budgeting has become a necessity since the commercialization of products, and traveling culture is being excessively promoted.

2018 is already here! Household Budget spreadsheets are good to start your new year with; that involves all your important financial goals, income and expenses, and savings and investments.

Here’s a guide to planning your yearly budget and the reasons why you should think about budgeting your finances.

50-20-30 Rule

The famous budgeting rule has helped millions of people to manage their finances without getting into a loss. It involves three categories of expenses:

50% of Income: It should be spent on necessities and living expenses. It involves billings, rents, groceries, and transportation.

20% of Income: It requires fulfillment of financial goals that include investments, debts, and saving.

30% of Income: It’s the best part of spending which you can invest in your wants and wishes. It’s the flexible spending part of the income.

Reasons Why Budgeting Is Important?

Your neighbor may be able to afford $5000 per month but not necessarily you. Everyone’s income and expenses are unique. So, we all have to budget our salaries to understand the limits of expenses in the three spending areas of 50-20-30 rule.

1. To set priorities:

Budgeting helps us in setting the priorities based on necessities, flexible spending, and financial goals. What debts have to be paid urgently? What needs have to be fulfilled first and foremost? What are the wants and desires that come at the top of the list?

When we are clear about our priorities, we are easily able to skip the excesses. No matter how much the sales with a 50% off tag are attractive, we have a vivid vision of our goals.

If getting out of debt is among your priorities, it’s essential to manage your limited funds and cut back on excessive expenses.

2. To achieve the annual financial goals:

Achievement of financial goals begins with understanding the structure of your earnings, spending, savings, and investments of the previous years. Many banks provide you with a record of all your bills and payments throughout the year. Collect the credit card, bank and income statement records to get an overview of your spending.

Set the financial goals in terms of debts, investments, and savings for achieving the flexible goals. Once you budget your money perfectly, you can even achieve more than the estimated financial goals.

3. To save and cut off excesses:

Money management begins with budgeting. Once your yearly spreadsheet has been made, you can save more than required.

When we are clear about our needs and wants, we can cut off the wants and save the money. It appears difficult at first but then becomes a habit.

A simple life of a minimalist is free from a lot of clutter. It can allow you to plan your travel ventures around the globe. After all, who doesn’t want to explore the world? Who doesn’t want to experience the change?

4. To plan the retirement:

Having a foresight for future is of imperative importance. Always plan out well your retirement beforehand!

Retirement should be included in the budgeting process. From your overall savings of the year, set aside a percentage of earnings for after-retirement years.  For considering to invest in bitcoins and to put them into your retirement account, you can get more information here.

5. To fulfill the desires:

If you had a dream to travel the world but could never achieve it, budgeting is a good solution for you. Budgeting your money can save you a lot. Statistics reveal how much we spend on our wants rather than on our needs.

Being aware of your spending is the key here. I guarantee that you can fulfill all your dreams.

A lot of people ignore the significance of budgeting and run into debts. Money management is an additional skill that you can learn to make your life easier and happier.

Author Bio:

Sarah Smith has been a personal finance author for the last five years. She is also an independent and a very passionate finance and investment advisor. She regularly posts at www.personalincome.org/

If you obtained money in a personal injury lawsuit, you may have received a structured settlement. Instead of getting the full amount of the settlement in one lump sum, a structured settlement enables you to receive the money in installments over a specified period of time.

If you need access to a larger amount of cash due to unexpected expenses or other financial circumstances, selling the structured settlement could be an option that you explore. Once you decide this is something you want to pursue, there are several steps you must take.

Reasons to Sell a Structured Settlement

Figure out why you want to sell the structured settlement payments and what your financial needs are. Some people have to cover their children’s educational expenses, need to pay their mortgage or incurred unexpected medical fees. Decide how much money you need. That will help you determine if you want to sell all or a portion of your structured settlement payments.

Complete the Application

Contact an annuity company and speak with a representative. The representative will ask you several preliminary questions such as why you received a settlement; the total amount of the settlement; who pays the settlement; and how much money you get per month or per payment period.

You have to complete an application and provide all of the necessary documents that verify your settlement and the payments. The representative will let you know your options if you want to cash out. You’ll need to decide how much of the settlement you want to sell and reach an agreeement regarding other terms of the transaction.

Court Approval of the Sale

Once you decide to sell your structured settlement, you need a judge’s approval to finalize the sale. The judge wants to make sure you understand the terms of the contract. The judge may ask if you sought advice from a third party financial professional who isn’t directly involved in the purchase of the settlement. Since selling the structured settlement payments can have a long-term impact on your finances, the judge may deny the sale if you don’t demonstrate a pertinent financial need for seeking this type of deal.

Choosing to sell structured settlement payments is a serious decision. Carefully review your options and speak with experienced financial professionals who can answer your questions. After you have received all of the information you need, you’ll understand the best path to take for you and your family.

Different people need money for different reasons. Some are trying to buy a car or have their current one fixed, others may be starting a small business or sending yet another child of theirs to university, and still some are going travelling with their partner or family – whatever the reason, it is important to know what you are getting into when you take out a personal loan and that you are choosing the best personal loan for you. There are a number of points to keep an eye out for when choosing your loan because everybody’s needs are different. As with any decision, there is no one size fits all, so let’s delve into the tools for finding the best loan for you!

Read the Fine Print

Loans can be sneaky. Taking out a loan is the perfect time to be taken advantage of by the fine print. The way to remedy this? Read the fine print! Learn about any hidden fees that may be attached to your loan. There is no set standard on fees, so every business and company will have their own fees and rules. Read the fine print and are still skeptical? Ask about origination fees, prepayment penalties, whether or not a loan is on fixed term, and interest rates and types.

Compare Companies

Every company is different. Comparing companies is a surefire way to ensure that you are receiving the best deal for your personal loan. Research online a multitude of companies, comparing their interest rates, fees, and the lengths of payback periods. This will help you narrow down your scope and help to solidify whether or not you wish to go with a bank for a personal loan, or a personal loan company.

Ask Questions

Once you have your narrowed scope, set up meetings with advisors of each bank or lending company to ask any further questions that you may have. One of the major perks of personal loans is the speed with which the money reaches your hands. Companies such as LoanCall specialize in personal loans, allowing a quicker receiving time for you, and, generally, less expensive fees and lower interest rates. Asking questions surrounding your personal loan will ensure that you are receiving the loan with the amount of money that you need and with manageable interest rate payments for you.

Personal loans are an excellent way to get the money that you need and quickly! However, it is important to never take on a loan that goes beyond your needs and means. Your personal loan is your ticket to a new business, a family vacation, or covered unexpected costs.

2017 was the year Americans became more aware of their personal net asset worth when publications revealed only 4 in 10 Americans have savings of $500 or more. The American Dream now belongs to financial institutions as the ability to save is slowly replaced with the need to increase a FICO score. This is because more and more of the American population is relying on finance to build their dreams. A funding nightmare is on the cards and for Americans to avoid another bubble bursting as it did in 2008, a savings and investment approach is sorely needed.

Swap Rental for Mortgage Installments

With an estimated appreciation rate of 8% per annum on properties, it makes sense for consumers to look for a place of their own. In 2018, lenders are looking to tighten the lending leash somewhat due to the number of defaults listed in the past few years, however, this does not mean that the property market is out of reach. Consumers will still have access to property finance, but the criteria may be a little more strict. This is to the benefit of the consumer, as it ensures they are able to afford their purchase. This also means greater peace of mind adding a funded item to the personal asset portfolio.

Consider Tangible Investments

Investments are still a sticky topic for many potential investors, as it’s only been a mere decade since investors lost billions through stock market crashes and unscrupulous conduct by bankers and investment brokers. There is a route that provides a bit more stability, however, risk is still very much part of any investment portfolio. These include tangible investments which allow investors to own an item as opposed to just a profile. Property and classic cars are firm favorites and bullion is right up there with them.Australian silver coins are a good example of bullion and are fairly easy to purchase.

Purchase Everyday Items That Will Hold Value in Future

It’s tempting to go for items that are easily replaceable such as furniture, clothing, and jewelry. However, there is a strong market for vintage items that may have increased the personal asset value of the owner. These items include once-off pieces of jewelry and even fine furniture pieces that were handed down from generation to generation. Although the market may be small for these items, there is enough demand in order for the owners of these items to rely on their value.

Increasing personal net worth starts with the increase in assets. At first, there might be debt that goes along with it but in time the asset value should exceed these debts. This allows consumers to increase their financial position which helps in times of crisis.